Myrtle Bowl

[Wes Henson]

My father-in-law gave me these big old slabs of myrtle that he had had up in storage. This is the first bowl I’ve turned from it. I decided to leave the inner part to show off the grain a little more. The large check/crack was there as the wood is very dry.

7 1/2 diameter, 1 7/8 tall on the outside rim, 2 1/8 on the inside rim. The outside rim was going to be taller, but I had some issues. Finished with Danish oil and wax. I should’ve sanded to a finer grit. Still working on the picture process.

The rest of the story is that I got out of the Army after 8 years and am staying with the in-laws while looking for a new job. So I used my father-in-law’s old craftsman lathe. This was turned with glue blocks – no chuck. Also I don’t like the grind on his tools so I used homemade tools with HSS inserts (like an Oland tool or those on, aroundthewoods.com, and www.monster-wood-tool.com (http://www.monster-wood-tool.com/)). I made those tools when visiting my dad last.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj233/weshenson888/myrtlebowltop.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj233/weshenson888/myrtlebowlbottom.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj233/weshenson888/myrtlebowlfront.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj233/weshenson888/myrtlebowlback.jpg

[robert hainstock]

Kinda looks like it got crossed up with some birdseye maple. Nice piece of work.:)
Bob

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice work Wes! Beautiful color to the wood! Love all the curl!

Best of luck finding a job! The transistion from military to civilian life can be challenging at times but it can be done!

[steven carter]

Wes,

Very nice looking bowl. I really like Darrell Feltmate's site also. And a very big THANK YOU for your service to our country.

Steve

[Steve Knowlton]

Good looking bowl. Looks like a chip & dip bowl. I like to turn myrtlewood, just not dry. Keep up the good work.

[Reed Gray]

Nice work, looks like the powder post beatles had a feast before you got to it. They do love myrtle. Keep an eye out for them coming out later.
robo hippy

[Joseph Peacock]

Nice job Mr. Wes.:)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Good looking bowl. I was going to say it would make a nice chip and dip bowl.

Good luck on your job hunting.

[Paul Engle]

Wes ,Very well done, I found that turning dry .... myrtle wood ..... very uh... challenging. I got some very nice pieces from Steve Knowlton and it is giving me fits and starts.... and I do not want to ruin any of it so I asked LOML if we could stop by Coos Bay on vacation which would give me a chance to drop in on Steve and watch him at work as that area is very famous for the myrtle wood things, but my girls are coming next week so that pretty much did that idea in.... What was your MOS ? Thank YOU for your service to our country !!!!!

[Wes Henson]

Thanks Guys I'm really happy with how this turned out.
Paul - I was 25A (Signal Officer)
This Myrle turned pretty well, maybe I'll have to track down some green stuff to find a differentce. Some of the other stuff I'm working on has a few punky spats on it, but they sanded out nicely. If I was thinking ahead I would have found a little glass bowl to hold the dip in the center and sized the center part appropiatly - maybe next time